11/05, 6:45pm
NPD says Win 7 units soar, cash modest
The NPD Group today revealed that initial Windows 7 sales were more than twice as strong as for Vista. Although declining to provide the number of copies estimated sold, the researchers note that boxed, retail unit sales of the new OS were 234 percent higher in the first few days than the 2007 release. The jump is credited to both to steep pre-order discounts, strong marketing and similar approaches that helped ship a large number of initial copies.
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11/05, 5:30pm
Win 7 10-day sales best ever for MS
Sales of Windows 7 have broken Microsoft's sales records for an initial operating system launch, company CEO Steve Ballmer said at a Japanese press event today. The executive said early sales have been "fantastic" and that the new OS has generated more revenue in its first 10 days than any earlier version of Windows during a similar timeframe. He declined to provide specific revenue or unit numbers.
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11/04, 3:05pm
Microsoft cuts go beyond planned 5K
Microsoft today confirmed late rumors and said it has cut 800 additional jobs. The positions are spread across many of the company's divisions and are above and beyond the 5,000 cuts planned at the start of the year. No direct explanation is given other than that the company says it still has to "manage [its] businesses closely" and watch for where it can trim costs.
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10/28, 7:15pm
Download geared for latest iMacs
Apple on Wednesday released a Bluetooth firmware update designed for users running Windows via Boot Camp. The download is said to improve the wireless performance with Vista and XP on the latest 21.5- and 27-inch iMacs released earlier this month, although specific details have not been provided.
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10/21, 12:05pm
Win 7 Amazon sales beat Harry Potter
Advance sales of Windows 7 at Amazon UK set an all-time record, the online retailer said this morning. Pre-orders for the Microsoft OS, which began in July, have been higher than for even the final Harry Potter book and in sheer numbers has only been outweighed by the release of Dan Brown's Lost Symbol. Windows 7 has also significantly outsold Windows Vista and took only eight hours to exceed what its predecessor sold during its entire pre-order run.
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10/14, 6:05pm
Michael Dell says own netbooks poor
Dell's namesake Michael Dell in a talk late Tuesday criticized both his own products and Microsoft. Despite his company offering multiple netbooks, including the Mini 10, the CEO largely dismissed the category and said a "fair amount" of buyers are unhappy with them for both their smaller screens and slow performance. Many existing notebook owners in particular often come back disappointed as they lose what they liked about their larger portables.
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10/13, 9:00am
Analyst notes Mac uptick with Windows releases
Microsoft's launch next week of Windows 7 could paradoxically help Apple's Mac sales, analyst data shows today. Broadpoint AmTech researcher Brian Marshall notes that, historically, every major Windows release in the past 10 years has coincided with a significant spike in Mac purchases either during the same calendar quarter or within a few quarters afterwards. The effect was particularly pronounced for Vista, as Mac sales surged in fall 2007 and have been very high ever since.
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09/10, 10:45pm
Microsoft's first TV spot for Windows 7
Microsoft tonight reversed course on its ad strategy with the launch of its first Windows 7 ad. The 30-second TV spot (seen below) draws on the same little girl, Kylie, that starred in a Windows Live Photo Gallery ad in February and avoids the pseudo-realistic but targeted anti-Apple attacks that have characterized the "Laptop Hunters" ads. Instead, the commercial is uniformly positive and has Kylie say she's discovered "happy" words about Windows 7 from reviews, which she then puts into a slideshow using Windows Movie Maker.
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09/08, 11:50am
Windows 7 returns remote BSOD
(Updated with Microsoft advisory) Windows 7 when it ships next month will be vulnerable to an attack that hasn't been possible since 1999, a new vulnerability found by a security researcher shows. Sending a deliberately malformed network negotiation request can force a Windows 7 system into a page fault that triggers a "blue screen of death" error, even without the user's help in launching the code. The attack affects both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the OS.
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08/27, 6:00pm
Microsoft Win 7 NYC Event
Microsoft plans to herald the October 22nd launch of Windows 7 with multiple special event, the company confirmed today in an invitation sent to the press. A New York City gathering will lead the events and should include an appearance by company CEO Steve Ballmer. Smaller events are also planned for elsewhere in the US and likely other countries, though what these would involve wasn't detailed in the invitation.
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08/26, 12:40pm
Win 7 vs Snow Leo Debunk
A controversial report today has accused Apple of borrowing or being late to features previously available in Windows. The PC World story argues that Apple is behind in implementing 64-bit and that Exposé's new integration with the Dock, the enhanced PDF preview, and QuickTime X are all either derivative of features first seen in XP or Vista or else available separately. Author Randall Kennedy goes as far as to claim that QuickTime X is a "reactionary" move to Windows Movie Maker.
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08/07, 3:10pm
Dell Mini 12 Gone
Dell today in a low-key move shrunk its Inspiron Mini netbook line by dropping the Mini 12. The Texas PC builder hasn't explained the decision but now just leaves the Mini 10 as its lone netbook. It follows shortly after Dell's cancellation of the Mini 9, its first netbook introduced late last year.
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07/03, 10:55am
Windows 7 RTM on July 13th
Multiple leaks today indicate that Microsoft is set to declare Windows 7 complete in just 10 days. The software developer is now expected to produce a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) build of the operating system on July 13th and is likely timing the news for its Worldwide Partner Conference the same day in New Orleans, which would let it hand companies a finished copy. The RTM version will be what ships to PC builders and retail when the software ships on October 22nd.
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06/23, 4:15pm
OCZ Sabre gaming keyboard
OCZ on Tuesday released its Sabre OLED multimedia keyboard meant for gamers or CAD professionals. OCZ's first premium peripheral offering, the Sabre sports nine dedicated OLED keys (not unlike Art Lebedev Optimus keyboards) that can be customized and are capable of displaying key icons converted from digital images or text. The rest of the 103 keys are backlit with amber LEDs.
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06/23, 8:45am
Gateway LT3100 Netbook
Gateway this morning chose to follow an unusual tack and launched the LT3100 as its second-generation netbook. The crossover PC is just an inch thick and about 3.1 pounds but uses an 11.6-inch, 1366x768 display and has components closer to a regular notebook's: it uses a low-power, single-core 1.2GHz Athlon 64 with Radeon X1270 graphics and a full 2GB of RAM. Consciously breaking Microsoft's rules for netbooks means the system uses Windows Vista Home Basic instead of XP, but the faster components should support the full Aero Glass interface where Atom netbooks usually struggle.
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06/16, 4:00pm
BenQ Joybook Lite T131
BenQ recently announced the upcoming release of its ultra-portable netbook, the 13.3-inch Joybook Lite T131. Weighing in at just under 4lbs, the 13.3-inch T131 sports a 1.6GHz AMD Sempron 200U processor based on the same platform as the Athlon Neo and which should give performance better than netbooks without a major increase in bulk. A minimum of 1GB of RAM is onboard, as is an ATI Mobility Radeon X1270 graphics chipset that can drive HD video playback. The standard 250GB hard drive -- a 320GB drive is an option -- comes preloaded with Windows Vista Home Basic.
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06/16, 10:15am
Kingston 128GB USB drive
Storage device maker Kingston Technology on Monday announced it has released a new USB flash drive series, the DataTraveler 200, with the first-ever 128GB USB flash drive available. The range also offers 32GB and 64GB models. All have password protection in the form of Password Traveler security software for Windows. The DT200s have a capless design, with the USB connector retracting into the device's body for protection.
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06/11, 3:45pm
ThinkPad T400s leaked
New images show there may soon be an addition to Lenovo's ThinkPad T400 notebook range with a new, slimmer model, the T400s. Its 0.83-inch thickness represents a noticeable reduction from the T400's 1.12-inch design. Specs will be shared with the range, according to SOBlog, including a choice of 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors and a 14.1-inch, LED-backlit display with a 1440x900 resolution. Due to the T400s' slimness, users won't be able to upgrade from Intel's integrated 4500MHD graphics processor, however.
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06/04, 3:55pm
Russia Says MS Monopolist
The Russian government today accused Microsoft of monopolistic behavior in its treatment of Windows XP. Antitrust officials said they would launch an investigation in the belief that Microsoft was unfairly pulling the older operating system from stores before the market was ready. Although significant demand exists for XP in both public and private sectors, Microsoft has been insisting in some cases that these outlets use Windows Vista instead.
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06/02, 2:40pm
Windows 7 October 22nd
Microsoft today ended speculation and said it would ship Windows 7 on October 22nd. The launch applies to all versions and confirms statements from Acer that it would have the new OS preloaded on its PCs just a day later. Pricing for individual upgrade and full installs hasn't been mentioned.
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05/26, 12:45pm
MS posts Vista SP2
Microsoft has posted 64- and 32-bit versions of Service Pack 2, a major update for Windows Vista and Server 2008. The downloads measure 577 and 348MB respectively, and include all of the key Windows updates produced since the debut of Service Pack 1. New devices and hardware platforms are also said to be supported, such as Bluetooth 2.1, 64-bit VIA CPUs and Blu-ray data recording.
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05/26, 8:05am
Sony VAIO P with Win XP
Sony on Tuesday showed rare conservatism by giving its VAIO P netbook an option for Windows XP. The P50 variant lets the mini notebook skip Vista for the faster, less demanding older OS while trading few features. It loses only Sony's in-Windows media software but still gets access to the instant-on OS for media playback and other basics outside of Microsoft's platform. It also boosts the minimum storage from 60GB to 80GB.
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05/25, 1:30pm
Studio XPS 13 gets Ubuntu
PC, notebook, monitor and related hardware manufacturer Dell has recently began offering its Studio XPS 13 notebook PC preloaded with the Linux-based Ubuntu operating system. The 13.3-inch notebook otherwise has the same key specs as its Windows Vista-powered counterpart, including the same 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, though some of the available options between them differ. For example, users can upgrade to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo on the Ubuntu XPS 13, while those who opt for the Vista system have a choice of a different 2.53GHz and a 2.66GHz CPU.
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05/22, 3:50pm
MS Dropping 3-App Win 7
Microsoft will drop the controversial three-app limit on Windows 7 Starter Edition by the time it reaches shelves, an apparent scoop by long-time Microsoft observer Paul Thurrott indicates. Although the restriction is often softened in practice, the approach would let owners use more than three full, active apps at a time. Microsoft previously instituted the limit both to accommodate the slower systems that would likely be used as well as to push customers towards the more lucrative Vista Home Basic.
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05/20, 7:35am
Win Media Center Netflix
Microsoft today quietly added Netflix support to Windows Media Center. The extension gives it features above and beyond athe Xbox 360 and lets users both add to as well as play their Watch Instantly movie queues. It can also auto-suggest new movies based on existing viewing habits. The addition gives home theater PCs access to a 10-foot media interface instead of having to use the Netflix website itself to stream shows.
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05/19, 1:40pm
Sanyo Draft N projector
Sanyo has recently announced the upcoming release of its PLC-WXU700 LCD projector in the US. The company claims the device is the world's first with 802.11n Wi-Fi. Hooking it up to a Windows Vista PC will turn it into a network projector, capable of streaming videos at a native widescreen 1280x800 resolution; other operating systems can use the networking for non-streaming control. The portable projector sports a 500:1 contrast ratio and weighs less than 8lbs. Sanyo says its 3,800 lumens brightness makes it the brightest in its class.
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05/19, 10:50am
MS PC Ads May be Working
Microsoft's Laptop Hunters ads may be hurting Apple's image, according to new data from BrandIndex. Looking at the perceived value for money of Apple and Microsoft brands, the research shows Apple dropping from a peak in February and March to well below Microsoft by mid-May. In contrast, Microsoft itself climbed from a score of 0 near the start of 2009 to 46, or much higher than Apple's current 12.
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05/12, 9:45am
Sanyo Wi-Fi N projector
Sanyo has recently announced the upcoming release of the industry's first 802.11n Wi-Fi-enabled projector, the LP-WXU700. The advance makes it the fastest wireless data projector on the market and has enough bandwidth to play videos, not just slideshows, over the network connection. When used with Windows Vista PCs, it can stream MPEG-1/2/4 and WMV videos wirelessly; other platforms can use the Wi-Fi to remotely administer the system. The LP-WXU700 has a 1280x800 resolution, a 500:1 contrast ratio and a brightness of 3,800 lumens.
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05/11, 1:45pm
MS Says Win 7 for Holidays
Microsoft at its TechEd conference today said it expects Windows 7 to ship towards the end of 2009. Although the company has until now maintained that the OS would ship near the three-year anniversary of Vista, or early 2010, senior Windows VP Bill Veghte now says he expects the update to ship before the holidays. He hasn't specified a particular date but says Windows Server 2008 R2, which shares a similar code base, should ship at the same time.
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05/05, 12:00pm
Microsoft 2nd Round Cuts
Microsoft on Tuesday began the second round of its 5,000 job cuts with a memo circulating the news at the company. Obtained by All Things D, the note from Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer doesn't say how many more of the cuts have been made but explains that the company is "mostly but not all done" with the total sum, which it expects should be completed by June 2010. It adds that the layoffs aren't limited to the US and will include a share of international workers.
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04/29, 3:35pm
Vista SP2 RTM dated
Microsoft through its Windows blog announced on Tuesday that the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) versions of Service Pack 2 of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 have been completed. The builds include updates found in SP1 and adds support for emerging hardware standards. Both include a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, easing the installation, management and support processes for IT professionals.
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04/28, 1:15am
DealNN: Garmin eTrex Vista
Today's DealNN deal of the day is on the Garmin eTrex Vista handheld GPS. It is regularly priced at $299.99, but has been reduced by $160 to $139.99 and includes FREE shipping at Amazon.com. It features a waterproof casing that provides protection in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes and comes pre-loaded with basemaps of North & South America viewable on the 2.14" LCD display.
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04/25, 10:50am
Windows 7 RC May 5
Microsoft on Friday confirmed the readiness of both the Release Candidate for Windows 7 as well as a new approach the company is taking to support legacy Windows XP apps. The developer now says that its recently leaked Release Candidate will be available to MSDN and TechNet members on April 30th and that the public will get access on the promised May 5th date. The release is the last widely available test version before the final version and has changes to key elements like the taskbar, touchscreen control and other key features.
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04/23, 1:40pm
Windows 7 hack program
At the Hack In The Box (HITB) Security Conference in Dubai on Thursday, security researchers demonstrated how software they developed can already take advantage of a design problem with the upcoming Windows 7 operating system, allowing them to hack into the system. VBootkit 2.0, created by researchers Vipin Kumar and Nitin Kumar, was used to demonstrate how hackers can take control of a Windows 7 computer while it's booting up. Unlike most exploits, though, the attack is said inherent to Windows 7 and may likely remain with the OS until it's replaced.
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04/19, 10:35pm
MS Asks 15 for XP Netbooks
Microsoft's determination to wrest control of netbooks from Linux has seen it drop the bulk price of Windows XP for the systems to under $15 per copy, according to a leak from an unnamed source. Although Microsoft has never publicly disclosed its pricing for netbook licenses, the Wall Street Journal now hears that a copy of XP Home for the budget portables is less than a third the price of a Windows Vista copy for a typical notebook, which costs the PC maker between $50 and $60 per copy in large batches. The price is well below the usual $30 asked for the Starter Edition of Windows, which is meant for PCs in the developing world.
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04/13, 12:10pm
Offices May Avoid Win 7
In spite of feature improvements, Windows 7 may face as much resistance as Vista in businesses, a study from Dimensional Research shows. An examination of about 1,100 IT managers in large businesses finds that about 83 percent of these companies plan to turn down Windows 7 during 2010, leaving just 17 percent to update sometime in the first year. About 25 percent of the total group plan an upgrade in the second year, or around 2011.
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04/07, 8:00am
MS to Keep XP Downgrades
Microsoft late yesterday confirmed it would maintain its Windows XP downgrade program even after Windows 7 launches. Originally planned as an effort to accommodate customers hoping to avoid using Windows Vista for compatibility or poor performance, the program's already extended July target has now been quietly revealed as lasting until June 2010 and will let those buying a Windows 7 system optionally pay extra to install XP as the primary operating system, leaving 7 as an optional install for later. A spokesman claims the extension to 2010 was made over a year ago.
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04/06, 11:50am
Dell Inspiron Mini 11 Leak
A new Dell roadmap leaked this weekend has at least partly confirmed plans by Dell to introduce one of the first systems based on Intel's CULV platform. Slotting in between netbooks and regular notebooks, the Inspiron Mini 11 discovered by NetbookNews would have an 11.6-inch display as well as "laptop like" performance and input, but in a design that would remain thin and light. It would also use Windows Vista and could potentially replace the Mini 12 as a result.
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04/03, 4:20pm
Texas gov't bans Vista
The Texas Senate has approved a rider to the state budget that would prevent governmental agencies from using Microsoft Vista on their computer systems unless a special approval was granted from a legislative board, Yahoo reported on Friday. Democratic Senator Juan Hinojosa proposed the change, because Vista is well-known for its problems and added Windows XP still works very well. Agencies who wish to buy Vista licenses or PCs pre-loaded with Vista need to first get written approval from the Legislative Budget Board.
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04/02, 5:00pm
Dell updates Vostro range
Dell on Thursday announced it has updated its Vostro notebook line-up with three new models, including the 13.3-inch Vostro 1320, the 15.4-inch Vostro 1520 and 17-inch Vostro 1720, which are available now. Dell has outfitted the range with added security measures, including optional shock-proof solid state drives, fingerprint readers, and encrypted hard drives with Wave Systems software. All share standard 80GB hard drives and six-cell batteries, as well as integrated Wi-Fi capabilities. Processing power comes via Intel's 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo chips.
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03/26, 2:20pm
Vista Capable Suit Hearing
A lawsuit accusing Microsoft of misleading over its Vista Capable logo program may have renewed life based on the results of a hearing held yesterday. Having previously denied class action status for the original lawsuit because its scope was too broad, US District Judge Marsha Pechman now says she will issue a ruling next week on whether the case can go forward using a narrower class of plaintiffs. The case would now include just those who either qualified for an upgrade from Windows Vista to XP separately or else who bought Vista Capable PCs whose graphics weren't capable of Aero Glass and thus couldn't handle the full feature set.
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03/23, 11:45am
Vista at 30pc Market Share
Microsoft's Windows Vista has finally crossed the 30 percent mark in share this week, according to StatCounter data. The milestone came more than two years after the operating system was released and at the expense of Windows XP, which has dipped below 58 percent at the same time. Both Microsoft platforms have had similar growth curves over the first several weeks of 2009 and show that most new adoptees of Vista are those trading up from older Windows PCs.
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03/20, 4:40pm
Stealth intros fanless PC
Stealth Computer on Friday released its latest product, a small form factor desktop computer, the LPC-625F. The computer is meant for use in tight spaces, such as in cars or other applications where space is at a premium thanks to its fanless design. The cooling fans on the extruded aluminum chassis dissipate heat instead and the PC is nearly noise-free when operating. Processing power comes from a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, though a faster 2.53GHz chip can be ordered. There is support for up to 4GB of RAM, with 1GB as standard fare.
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03/09, 11:35am
ASUS Eee Box B208
ASUS has added a new headlining model to its nettops in the Eee Box B208. The new version is much more of a home theater replacement and comes with a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 4350 that gives it true, hardware-accelerated HD video playback. It also provides HDMI output for its likely home theater role and acceleration for Windows Vista Business, which itself is rare in nettops.
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02/26, 11:00am
Vista SP2 Hits RC
Microsoft late Wednesday confirmed that Windows Vista's Service Pack 2 has reached a Release Candidate version. The update is available today for MSDN and TechNet members and indicates a near-final status that should lead to a finished version reaching the public during the spring. Unofficial reports have previously corroborated the February RC timeframe and have predicted an April timeframe for a 'gold' release.
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02/25, 4:40pm
ASUS W90 now shipping
A version of the W90 notebook from ASUS introduced at this year's CES is now shipping. The W90Vp-X1 sports an 18.4-inch screen with 1920x1200 resolution thanks in part to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870 X2 dual video card with 1GB of dedicated memory. Processing power comes courtesy of a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and 6GB of RAM. The mainboard is based on Intel's X38, which is made for desktops. A Turbo Gear function will let users overclock the CPU by 25 percent.
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02/25, 12:05pm
Compal on Win 7 in Sept
Microsoft could have Windows 7 on shipping PCs by September, Compal president Ray Chen said today at an investor's conference. The PC contractor executive understands from plans that the software should be available in either late September or early October. The news would corroborate word of an April release candidate that would let Microsoft finish, manufacture and deliver Windows 7 well ahead of the holidays.
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02/24, 1:00pm
Dell Studio 1555 ships
Dell is using Singapore as the first venue to offer its upgraded Studio 15-series notebook, the Studio 1555. It sports a new LED-backlit, 15.6-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 1366x768 resolution. The notebook offers the first application of ATI's newest mid-range graphics chip, the Mobility Radeon HD 4570, with a dedicated 512MB of video memory.
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02/21, 12:05pm
Windows 7 RC Apr 10 Leak
Microsoft's near-final Release Candidate version of Windows 7 could be due in less than two months, a source within Microsoft tells Neowin. The company is reportedly making progress according to its exact schedule and will purportedly launch the RC build for both testers and the public on April 10th. The update would come just three months after the public beta build and would give Microsoft a full eight months to produce the fully finished version that represents the last milestone.
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02/18, 11:10pm
Vista Suit Denied Class
A late ruling has been made today in the lawsuit over Microsoft's allegedly misleading Vista Capable logo that may hand a win to Microsoft. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman has removed the class action status from the lawsuit under the claim that plaintiffs haven't demonstrated that a "specific shift" in demand was created for Windows Vista PCs by giving underperforming systems the logo; they therefore can't prove that Microsoft intended to mislead all PC buyers rather than just the individuals who began the suit.
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